Belmont House of the Week: 9 Frederick St. #2

The housing stock surrounding Pequossette “PQ” Playground just south of Central Square has a bit more of an urban feel than what some would expect in Belmont; modest two-families built in the early part of the last century, constructed so an owner occupant could rent the top floor to cover the mortgage.

But with the demand for family housing rising throughout the town, those owners are now more likely to cash in on the market trend by renovating and convert the space into a condominium. One example is at 9 Frederick St.

The one-time rental space – the building was built in 1928 – has been renovated and redesigned to crate a two-floor, 7 room, 3 bed, 2 bath condominium. The main floor – you’ll need to climb a set a stairs to get to the unit – features an open floor plan with a fireplace, living room with built-ins, a large-ish dining room leading to a “state-of-art” professional chef’s kitchen w with a breakfast bar, custom cabinets, granite counters, and a Jenn-Air stainless appliances. The floor also has two of the three bedrooms and a tiled bathroom.

The former attic has been turned into a master suite retreat with a bedroom that has skylights, a deck with “sunset views” and a marble bath/jacuzzi and tile shower with a pair of skylights.

The unit has hardwood floors, recessed lighting and central air. The building is located between Cushing and Waverley squares and a quick walk to PQ, the Butler School, shops, the town’s cinema, some restaurants, the 73 MBTA bus and a 10 minute stroll to the Waverley station on the commuter rail. 

Price: $699,000

Listed By: Century 21 Adams Realty, Margaret Vogel, 617-826-3022.

Belmont Yard Sales on Saturday, July 26

Here are this weekend’s yard/moving/garage sales (and a free item giveaway event) happening in the 02478 zip code:

• 72 Cross St., Saturday, July 26, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• 65 Grove St., Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 51 Lexington St., Saturday, July 26, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 27 Pilgrim Rd.Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dig It Up: Water Main Work Begins This Monday

On the heels of Belmont naming 11 dilapidated roads to be reconstructed this year comes another list of streets, only this one highlights roads to be dug up.

This Monday, July 28, the Water Division of the Belmont Department of Public Works will begin water main replacement work on 10 byways in town, with the work lasting until Nov. 15.

The streets include:

  • Charles Street
  • Edward Street
  • Orchard Street from Common to Beech streets
  • Winthrop Street
  • Warwick Road
  • Garden Street
  • Holt Street
  • Somerset Street from Pleasant Street to Shady Brook Lane
  • Wellington Lane
  • Richmond Road

The infrastructure work – to replace aging mains to provide “an ample volume of high quality drinking water … and improve water pressures throughout the town,” according to a DPW press release – will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As with any water main work, residents will experience service disruptions during the construction process. Homeowners and businesses will be provided with at least 24-hour notification of all planned water main shutdowns, where water service will be interrupted for a period longer than two hours.

The water system improvements will require some residences to have water supplied through a temporary above ground water main until the new main is complete.

Questions relating to the project or schedule should be directed to the Belmont Water Division at 617-993-2700, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday or by calling Water Division Construction Supervisor Dave Powers at 617-438-2079.

Project updates can be found on the Department of Public Works Water Division web site. http://belmontma.vt-s.net/dpw-water-division.

Rec Dept. Says Good-Bye to Underwood Pool With Kid’s Mud Run

How do you say good-bye to an old friend?

How about a day of mud and fun!

That sounds just about right to Belmont Recreation Department’s Program Supervisor June Howell. After holding a successful season-opening event – the Summer Blast Off – for the town’s Underwood Pool in June, Howell began to think about holding some sort of celebration to mark the end of the life of “the “old Underwood” (this year marks the pool’s 102nd summer) and incorporating the kids seemed to be a great idea.

That’s when Howell remembered something she had been keeping in the back of her head for a number of years; a fun run around the facility with water slides, obstacles and mud.
Lots of mud. 
“Actually, my (adult) nephew told me about one he did and I researched to see how they adapted it for children. They are becoming quite popular.  So between looking at websites and using our imaginations, we came up with some obstacles and a course we think will be fun yet safe,” said Howell.
So at high noon on Sunday, Aug. 24, kids will be able to take part in the Rec Department’s first-ever Kid’s Mud Run at the Underwood Pool to recognize the last days of the century-old facility.
Kids between 4 and 12 will start off at a “mud pit” before heading up the hill to the playground above the pool where they will attack a balance beam, weave in and out between the swing set, carry wood then head back to the pool where after more challenges, they head to the sprinklers before wading across the kiddie portion of the pool to the finish line.
There will be four categories, boys and girls 4 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12, with the winners receiving a Summer 2015 Family Membership and a trophy.
After the mud, the Rec Department will hold an open community day at the pool with no membership or day pass required to enter from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be music, hot dogs, swimming and games.

“I really think it’s going to be a blast for the kids,” said Howell. “And for all of us at the department too.”

You can find applications and a course map for the Kid’s Mud Run online at the Belmont Recreation Department Web site. (http://www.belmont-ma.gov/recreation-division)

West Nile Virus Found in Belmont

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today, Thursday, July 24, that West Nile virus has been detected in one mosquito recently collected from Belmont, according to a press release from the Belmont Health Department.

“WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection,” according to the state.

The first detection of the virus was in Clinton on July 3.

As always, there are a few precautions people can do to help to protect themselves and their families:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.

Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Make sure rain barrels are covered or screened. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts during 2014 can be found on the MDPH website . Recorded information about WNV is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).

Summer Produce and Magic at Belmont Farmers Market

These beautiful summer afternoons make for a perfect market day at the Belmont Farmers Market, located in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot at the corner of Channing Road and Cross Street, today, Thursday, July 24 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In season this week are apples, basil, beets, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, chard, cherries, cilantro, collards, cucumbers, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce, mint, mizuna, parsley, peppers, radishes, raspberries, scallions, summer squash, turnips, yu choi and zucchini.
Occasional vendors Coastal Vineyards, Seasoned and Spiced, Sugar + Grain and Wild Acre Inns joins the market’s regulars.
The food truck this week is Jamaica Mi Hungry. Try the curry goat.

In the Events Tent:
• 2 p.m. Music on the Hill Chambers Players: Students from the Powers Music School will be playing a variety of classical, pop, and Irish fiddle tunes on the violin, viola, and cello.  This year, Powers celebrates its 50th anniversary of teaching music to Belmont and the surrounding area.
• 3 p.m. Magic with Ryan Lally: Come see one of the best young magicians in Boston entertain kids and adults alike with his slight of hand.
• 4 p.m. Storytime with Denise Shaver: From the Children’s Department at the Belmont Public Library, Shaver  will lead Storytime with stories and songs about farms and food for children of all ages.
4:30 p.m. Music by Nick Zaino: Zaino is a Boston-based singer/songwriter with a deep appreciation for the roots of American music.

Espresso Lane: Starbucks is Coming to Belmont’s Star Market

In the next six weeks, customers at Belmont’s Star Market at 535 Trapelo Rd. will not only be able to purchase their favorite package of Starbucks-brand coffee beans, they can get an iced vanilla latte on their way out.

According to staff at Star, a small Starbucks Coffee cafe will open in early September in a location near the flower department in the front of the store.

Those in the know said the Starbucks will be a licensed store owned and operated by an approved licensee, the Shaw’s Supermarket group, a 155-store group based in West Bridgewater.

A nearby example of such an arrangement is the Starbucks in the Target store in the Watertown Mall. Other familiar locations include inside airports, shopping food courts, college campuses, hospitals and even cruise ships. Eight years ago, Quincy-based Stop & Shop signed a contract with Starbucks, placing the chain’s licensed stores inside a limited number of supermarkets. 

While several licensed locations are fully operational stores, many are kiosks with a limited number of retail items such pastries or coffee selections.

According to the Starbuck’s website, “[t]hese retail locations are staffed by the licensee’s employees and they follow Starbucks training guidelines including beverage quality, store cleanliness, and creating the Starbucks Experience for our customers.”

“Through these locations, we are able to significantly increase customer accessibility to our products and brand, which, from a shareholder perspective, is also valuable because of the profit it contributes to the organization,” states Starbucks.

Sold in Belmont: Two Families, Condos Lead the Summer Market

A weekly recap of residential properties bought in the past seven days in the “Town of Homes.”

30 Hammond Rd. Colonial (1925), Sold for: $1,100,000. Listed at $975,000. Living area: 2,527 sq.-ft. 9 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 75 days.

259 School St. Colonial (1926), Sold for: $1,050,000. Listed at $989,000. Living area: 3,282 sq.-ft. 8 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. On the market: 145 days.

• 44 Chester Rd. Two family (1918), Sold for: $815,000. Listed at $829,000. Living area: 2,488 sq.-ft. 12 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 102 days.

• 562 Trapelo Rd. #2. Townhouse condominium (2007), Sold for: $574,000. Listed at $574,000. Living area: 2,035 sq.-ft. 6 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 39 days.

 18 Banks St. Two family (1925), Sold for: $695,000. Listed at $715,000. Living area: 2,473 sq.-ft. 11 rooms; 5 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 52 days.

• 26 Park Rd. Two family (1911), Sold for: $960,000. Listed at $899,900. Living area: 3,750 sq.-ft. 18 rooms; 8 bedrooms, 3 baths. On the market: 62 days.

 73 Hoitt Rd. Ranch (1955), Sold for: $752,500. Listed at $679,000. Living area: 1,412 sq.-ft. 6 rooms; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. On the market: 50 days.

 126 Sycamore St. Condominium (1900), Sold for: $550,000. Listed at $529,000. Living area: 1,945 sq.-ft. 7 rooms; 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 84 days.

 84 Walnut St. Condominium (1919), Sold for: $425,000. Listed at $399,000. Living area: 1,083 sq.-ft. 5 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 1 bath. On the market: 70 days.

 34 Ridge Rd. Condominium (1905), Sold for: $370,000. Listed at $369,000. Living area: 1,450 sq.-ft. 7 rooms; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 79 days.

What to Do Today: Help Sylvie Find Her Underpants the Squirrel Stole

• Here is a silly puppet adventure for families: Sylvie will discover a whole magical world while searching for her stolen underpants taken by a squirrel (!) at the Belmont Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Assembly Room. A great show by the troupe They Gotta Be Secret Agents. 

• With so much going on around the world, this might be the week to join Hot Topics, the Beech Street Center’s current events group, taking place at 10 a.m. at 266 Beech St. 

• Heads up: Here is a great evening event for kids 10 and up: Einstein’s Workshop program for Young Adults will be exploring hydraulics on Tuesday, July 29, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. Each participant will make and take home their very own hydraulics lift. To register, go online or call 617-993-2870.

U2 Tribute Band at Payson Park Music Festival

Joshua Tree, one of the premier U2 tribute band, makes their annual trek to play Belmont’s Payson Park Music Festival tonight, Wednesday, July 23 at approximately 6:45 p.m. 

Joshua Tree “has gone to great lengths to reproduce the distinct sound of one of the world’s most popular rock bands,” and are dedicated to the entire U2 songbook, including early fan favorites from the 1980-1987 period such as Boy, October, War, The Unforgettable Fire, and The Joshua Tree.

Celebrating a quarter century, the Payson Park Music Festival takes place at Payson Park at the intersection of Payson Road and Elm Street. The concert is free.